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Sales tax revenue at five-year high

Staff reporter

Marion County sales tax revenue for September is the highest in at least five years.

Nearly $50,000 was collected in September, making the county's revenue $64,627 ahead of last year at this time.

So far in 2004, $476,406 in sales tax has been collected, county clerk Carol Maggard reported.

September sales in 2003 were $36,174.

Judicial lacking funds, space

Eighth Judicial Chief Judge Michael Powers told the commission his department was going to be over budget at the end of the year.

Powers said the appointed council line item was going to be at least $14,000 to $15,000 over budget.

"There's nothing we can do about it," Powers said, "but I want you to be aware of it."

The court appoints attorneys for those accused of a crime who cannot afford to pay an attorney.

Powers said his office actively pursues repayment.

"In the 13 years I've been here, we've been fairly successful in collecting," Powers said.

A $10,000 cap was placed on Powers' budget for collections of attorneys' fees and he said he wasn't sure if that was included in the judicial budget.

Another concern Powers had was space for judicial personnel.

Currently, the judicial department occupies the third floor of the courthouse. An additional part-time probation officer will be hired and there is no office space available.

Powers said there were two conference rooms that are utilized, and the law library isn't practical for office space because it doesn't have telephone access.

Commissioner Howard Collett said it may be time to think about the second floor of the health department, located at Third and Main streets.

Powers said three small offices, a waiting area, and an area for drug testing was needed and could be located somewhere other than in the courthouse.

No proposals were presented or decisions made.

Traffic sign on Nighthawk

County attorney Susan Robson asked specific questions of the commission regarding traffic limitations on Nighthawk Road.

The commission had instructed Robson to provide a sign before Kansas Department of Transportation begins construction on U.S.-77. County personnel are concerned through traffic, especially truck traffic, may drive Nighthawk instead of the preferred detour designated by KDOT.

By placing weight or use limitations on Nighthawk, law enforcement will be able to enforce restrictions.

Collett suggested the sign allow farm-related traffic but prohibit all other through traffic.

Robson will further research the issue and return with a proposal.

Road and bridge business

A bid for bridge materials, primarily steel, was approved. Four bids were received, but two were partial bids and not accepted.

A low bid of $66,390 from Welborn Sales, Inc., of Salina was accepted. A second bid that met the specifications was from Steel Pipe and Supply Company of Manhattan with a bid of $67,884.

An area fuel bid of $10,417 was approved from Cardie Oil Company of Tampa. Cooperative Grain & Supply of Hillsboro also presented a total bid of $10,848 for 6,550 gallons of diesel fuel.

Vernon and Vida Bartel of 2427 N. Eagle Road, met with the commission. Also present were acting road and bridge superintendent Jim Herzet and acting road supervisor Phil Bowen.

The Bartels said Eagle and 240th were in need of rock.

Vida Bartel said she was concerned about the neighbors and school buses having to use the road.

Vernon Bartel said semi tractor-trailers needed access to their home and can't turn on 240th because of the drop-off in the ditch.

The Bartels said water runs from fields and washes away road materials. They cited poor maintenance and field runoff as causes for the poor road conditions.

Herzet agreed the road needed attention and said county personnel would address it.

Herzet requested and received a 10-minute executive session to discuss personnel. Bowen also attended the session.

Following the session, the commission authorized road and bridge employee Roy Davis to use vacation time that week.

The receipt of Federal Emergency Management Agency grant funds to the road and bridge department were noted. The reimbursement was for funds used as a result of a flood this past summer.

If the funds are to be used for a specific item or project that is not in the budget, the budget must be republished. Maggard said she was concerned about getting the budget republished yet this year. It was determined the funds would be spent in 2005.

In other business:

— A contract with the county's auditors for monitoring the county's emergency medical services department is near completion.

Maggard said additional expenses for assitance and training, nearly $13,000, will be paid from sales tax revenue.

Scot Loyd of Swindoll, Janzen, Hawk & Loyd will be at the commission meeting Dec. 20 to present a report.

— The commission approved $1,038,298 in payroll and bills. Of that amount, $473,116 was payment for completion of an overlay on Indigo Road.

— Maggard reported $6,294 of encumbered funds from 2003 have not been spent. The funds again will be encumbered in 2004, Maggard said.

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